Manhattan prosecutors have formally opposed President-elect Donald Trump’s bid to overturn his criminal conviction in New York following his election triumph.
In a letter to the court, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg stated his firm opposition to dismissing the case but acknowledged the unique legal complexities arising from Trump’s impending presidency. Bragg suggested alternatives, such as pausing all legal proceedings until Trump’s term ends in 2029.
“The People deeply respect the Office of the President, are mindful of the demands and obligations of the presidency, and acknowledge that Defendant’s inauguration will raise unprecedented legal questions,” Bragg wrote. He also emphasized the vital role of the jury in the U.S. constitutional framework.
Trump’s legal team welcomed Bragg’s proposal to delay proceedings as a major triumph.
“This is a total and definitive victory for President Trump and the American People who elected him in a landslide,” said Steven Cheung, Trump’s campaign spokesperson and incoming White House communications director, in a statement.
Judge Juan Merchan, who is presiding over the case, faces key decisions in the coming weeks. He must determine whether to delay the scheduled November 26 sentencing, dismiss Trump’s conviction entirely, or proceed despite the election outcome.
Trump was convicted in May on 34 counts of falsifying business records related to a hush money payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels. The payment, made during the 2016 presidential campaign, was alleged to be part of a broader scheme to influence the election by concealing an affair, which Trump denies.
While the charges could result in prison time, first-time offenders in similar cases often receive more lenient sentences.
If his conviction remains intact, Trump will make history as the first U.S. president to assume office with a criminal record. The Supreme Court’s stance on presidential immunity could significantly impact the case’s trajectory, with Judge Merchan delaying his earlier rulings until after the election at Trump’s request.
As Trump prepares to return to the White House, the legal battle over his conviction continues to underscore the unprecedented challenges surrounding his presidency.
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